Kentucky 31 Coated Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea
Festuca arundinacea is a species of grass commonly known as tall fescue. It is a cool-season perennial C₃ species of bunchgrass native to Europe. It is an important forage grass throughout Europe, and many cultivars have been used in agriculture. It is also an ornamental gras…
What is Kentucky 31 fescue grass?
Tall fescue is an important turf grass in the United States today, but that wasn't always the case. Kentucky 31, known in the seed industry as KY-31 or K-31, helped tall fescue grasses transition from livestock pasture grasses to lush, durable, manicured lawns. Tall fescue grasses came to the U.S. from Europe in the 1800s.
Is Kentucky 31 a shade tolerant grass?
Its relatively deep roots, compared to other common cool-season lawn grasses, add to its heat and drought tolerance.1 Though less shade tolerant than fine fescues, KY-31 is more shade tolerant than Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass or common warm-season grasses, such as sun-loving Bermudagrass.
How does Kentucky 31 grass spread?
But Kentucky 31 spreads through vertical shoots known as "tillers," which grow from the plant's base. As a result, KY-31 rarely ventures outside its boundaries the way more aggressive spreading grasses often do. As with all tall fescue grasses, KY-31 grows most vigorously during the cool seasons of fall and spring.
Which germinates faster Kentucky 31 or Kentucky bluegrass?
As with other tall fescue varieties, Kentucky 31 germinates much more quickly than Kentucky bluegrass .
Which is better coated or uncoated grass seed?
Coated seed offers better moisture absorption and transfer to the seed for germination. ... Coated seed will weigh almost 1/3 more than uncoated seed because of the added coating, and will flow through the planting equipment at a different rate than uncoated seed.25-Mar-2021
What does coated grass seed mean?
Coated grass seed refers to a protective coating made out of clay that is designed to aid in keeping the seed moist during the germination process. ... Many brands add a fertilizer, fungicide, or insecticide to the clay coating to protect and feed the newly emerged seedlings.31-Aug-2021
Is coated grass seed better?
Two main reasons: 1) coated seed of improved varieties is usually the same price per pound as uncoated seed, and 2) more importantly, coated seed provides a better microenvironment around the seed for germination and growth.
How do you use Kentucky 31 grass seed?
Spread the seed evenly using a drop, rotary or hand-held spreader according to the recommended spreader settings. Rake gently to work your seed & fertilizer in through the soil. Keep the soil moist by watering daily as needed until grass sprouts and reaches about 3" tall.
What is the difference between tall fescue and Kentucky 31?
Tall fescues generally have greater heat tolerance than other cool-season grasses, but KY-31 offers better heat and drought tolerance than many tall fescue varieties. ... Compared to these more modern turf-type and dwarf tall fescue varieties, KY-31 has a lighter green color, coarser texture and wider blades.
What are the advantages of or reasons for coated seed?
Advantages of using. ... Added nutrients to the seed environment.Additional nutrients. ... Healthy seedling. ... Better seed soil contact.The better seed soil contact allow better access to water which is essential to the germination process and facilitate nutrient uptake.Decreases the effective competition by weeds.More items...
Do birds eat coated grass seed?
coated grass seeds are not toxic to birds. But it can keep the birds away from eating the grass seeds. As after taking the coated grass seeds birds do not feel any taste and count it as an uneatable substance. So, ultimately coated grass seeds can keep the birds away from eating your grass seeds.
How long does coated grass seed take to germinate?
between 7 and 30 daysGenerally speaking, it takes between 7 and 30 days for grass seed germination to begin. However, it's important to know that host of factors can influence how fast your grass grows — including weather, grass type, and soil.
How long does coated grass seed last?
How Long Will it Last? When stored under these ideal conditions, grass seed should last between 10-18 months from the testing date without a significant decrease in the germination rate. After this time the seed can still be used, but each year after that will see the germination rate drop.20-Oct-2013
How long does it take Kentucky 31 grass seed to germinate?
7-14 daysPennington Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue Penkoted Grass Seed will germinate in 7-14 days.
How fast does Kentucky 31 grow?
Plant Kentucky 31 in late summer or early fall, when temperatures range from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and there are 8 weeks of growing time. Sowing seed in the spring is less successful because of the challenges of summer drought and abundant weeds.
What is the difference between Kentucky bluegrass and Kentucky 31?
Kentucky 31 is tough grass that grows without excess attention and fertilization as long as it is not mowed less than 2 inches, which is too short. ... Bluegrass is more delicate than Kentucky 31 and needs regular watering and fertilizing.17-Jul-2017
Why is grass seed coated?
The grass seed was coated to help with a uniform seeding pattern and to provide added weight to insure good seed to soil contact as the seed fell from the airplane. The New Zealand process began the modern science of seed coating, but all of the seed coatings listed above had the same thing in common.
Why do you need to coat grass seed?
In grass seed, the primary advantage of coating is to insure easier and more uniform seeding. This is especially true when planting warm season grasses like bermudagrass, crabgrass and teff that have very small, light seed and therefore low seeding rates.
Why coat seed if there is no difference in the final stand?
Why go to the trouble to coat the seed if there is no difference in the final stand? Two main reasons: 1) coated seed of improved varieties is usually the same price per pound as uncoated seed , and 2) more importantly, coated seed provides a better microenvironment around the seed for germination and growth.
Why do they put coating on clover seed?
The coating was put on the clover seed to hold the inoculum, help give a uniform seeding pattern and to provide a micro-environment for quick and effective nodulation.
What was the first invention to use glue to stick fertilizer to cereal seed?
One patent from 1866 used a paste of wheat flour on cotton seed to slick down the lint so the seed would flow in the planter. In 1905, Aristotle Rey received a patent to use glue to stick fertilizer to cereal seed. More recently, in the late 1950’s, New Zealand Agricultural workers developed a coating for clover and grass seed.
Why were the two treatments in each strip test planted at the same seeding rate per acre?
The seed for the two treatments were from three improved alfalfa var ieties and were taken from the same seed lot in order to eliminate genetic differences. The two treatments in each strip test were planted at the same seeding rate per acre with the same drill and the drill was calibrated for each type of seed.
Why do we need to plant seed coated?
Simply put, the reason to plant coated seed is to improve the establishment process. Most seed coating is done to improve the number of seeds that germinate, produce healthy roots and young shoots, and then go on to produce established plants. In other words, seed coating improves establishment success by improving establishment percentage.
